OpenAI Researcher Miles Wang to Launch AI-Driven Drug Discovery Startup
Miles Wang, a prominent OpenAI researcher with a background in using artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate scientific and biological discovery, is reportedly leaving the ChatGPT maker to launch a new startup focused on developing AI models for drug discovery. According to sources with knowledge of his plans, several other OpenAI researchers are expected to join the new company.
Wang’s new startup, which has not been officially named, is said to be working on AI models that can help identify new uses for existing drugs and possibly those that previously failed in trials. This approach has the potential to result in significantly faster time to revenue compared to developing new drugs from scratch, as these medicines have already been tested for safety.
Wang’s decision to leave OpenAI comes after he co-authored research papers on evaluating how AI models can automate and accelerate scientific discovery. His work at OpenAI has been focused on leveraging AI to make breakthroughs in life sciences. Wang joined OpenAI in 2024 after dropping out from Harvard, where he was working on a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
The funding discussions surrounding Wang’s new startup point to investor interest in applying AI to make breakthroughs in life sciences. Chai Discovery, a two-year-old startup developing AI models that can predict molecular interactions to identify new drugs, announced on Tuesday that it raised $400 million at a $3.8 billion valuation. Co-founder Josh Meier also passed through OpenAI as a researcher.
Meanwhile, Google DeepMind spinout Isomorphic Labs, which also develops AI models for drug discovery, raised a $2.1 billion Series B in May. The growing interest in AI-driven drug discovery startups suggests a significant shift in the way pharmaceutical companies are approaching the development of new medicines.
Wang is in talks to raise about $200 million at a $2 billion valuation, with Lightspeed reportedly leading the funding round. However, talks are ongoing, and the deal may not be final, with details potentially changing.
When reached for comment, Wang disputed the story’s funding figures and description of the company but did not specify the correct numbers or details. Lightspeed also did not respond to a request for comment.
The news of Wang’s new startup has sparked excitement in the tech and life sciences communities, with many seeing it as a significant development in the field of AI-driven drug discovery.
The potential applications of AI in drug discovery are vast, and the ability to identify new uses for existing drugs could revolutionize the way pharmaceutical companies approach the development of new medicines.
As the field of AI-driven drug discovery continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Wang’s new startup and other companies like Chai Discovery and Isomorphic Labs contribute to the development of new medicines and treatments.
